Hot Chocolate 15k 2014

2.8.14

This event had been on my radar for more than a year, as I'd hoped to complete the 5k last year, but, had a conflict.  

This event was part of my 2014 "to do" list, as it would be a new distance for me, and, I planned on it being a training run for my first 13.1, two weeks from now.  While my training had me complete a few longer runs than 15k recently, I was still excited about the distance in a race setting.   

Many of our friends and colleagues were participating, including Lindsi and Courtney that were doing the 5k, and many Y colleagues that were doing the 15k.  

Total expected attendance at the event was more than 10,000.  There are a series of Hot Chocolate events around the country, and, they do it right.  Running jackets for all participants, well organized events, split times at 5k and 10k, etc.  

The route was going to take us through east dallas. I was excited about seeing my old hood.  

We arrived to a very cold morning, but, were able to stay inside until race time.  Starting corrals were categorized by expected pace.  While, for the most part, this was quite helpful, I did see a number of walkers early on, that should have been in later corrals.  

I got off to a comfortable start, much because of the crowd, and finally settled in to a 10:15ish pace.  Having only completed a distance of this length in a race setting once before, I'm still working to determine the right pace for this distance.  We ran down Swiss avenue, through Lakewood shopping center, down La Vista, over the East Grand bridge, through the C streets, etc.  I saw a few folks that I knew along the way.  At the 10k mark, I picked up the pace.   In retrospect, I could have done this earlier, as I still had some in the tank at the finish.  

The finisher prize was a chocolate themed gift, with hot chocolate etc.  Fun, but, ultimately will get trashed.  

All in all, a great event. We will look forward to doing this one again next year, and, I feel good about cowtown 13.1 in 2 weeks.